A prize puzzle book, The Merlin Mystery, which had a cash prize and a valuable wand (Merlin's Wand - an alchemist's staff) crafted from gold, silver and precious gems, went unclaimed when the puzzle was not solved. If unsolved the cash prize went straight to the World Wildlife Fund, as would the proceeds from the wand being auctioned. How much did it sell for and who bought it?

Question

A prize puzzle book, The Merlin Mystery, which had a cash prize and a valuable wand (Merlin's Wand - an alchemist's staff) crafted from gold, silver and precious gems, went unclaimed when the puzzle was not solved. If unsolved the cash prize went straight to the World Wildlife Fund, as would the proceeds from the wand being auctioned. How much did it sell for and who bought it?

Question #41309. Asked by sequoianoir.
Last updated Sep 09 2016.

satguru

Answer has 14 votes

Currently Best Answer

satguru

Moderator
20 year member
1295 replies avatar

Answer has 14 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

The answer and history is here

http://www.treasureclub.net/publichunts/merlinmystery/official_solution/

Aug 30 2016, 8:27 PM

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Answer 1

The closing date for solving the riddle was 31st Dec 2001.
I am unsure exactly when the cash was donated to the WWF, or how soon after the closing date the auction took place.
Incidentally , I do not know the answer to this question.
I spent quite a while trying to solve the puzzle without any success whatsoever - very very tough, and I would dearly loved to have owned the wand.
I really would like to know how much it was auctioned for.

Answer 2

rlaj
Answer has 2 votes

rlaj
20 year member
244 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.

This site says it sold for 10,000 pounds.

[link no longer works] armchair-treasure-hunt.com/past/merlinmystery.htm

Response last updated by postcards2go on Sep 09 2016.
Nov 19 2003, 7:51 PM

Answer 3

sequoianoir
Answer has 1 vote

sequoianoir
20 year member
2091 replies

Answer has 1 vote.

I'd have bought it for that amount.
I know the reference says it was worth £25,000 but I think this is an error - the book itself says $25,000.

Still worth buying for £10,000 though.

Nov 19 2003, 7:59 PM

Answer 4

rlaj
Answer has 0 votes

rlaj
20 year member
244 replies avatar

Answer has 0 votes.

I read on another site that it was valued at 75,000. Sounds like a very tough puzzle, almost abusive.

Nov 19 2003, 8:14 PM

Answer 5

sequoianoir
Answer has 1 vote

sequoianoir
20 year member
2091 replies

Answer has 1 vote.

The cash prize had a increasing value depending on the number of books sold and at the end was worth at least £75,000 outside of the US (where it was fixed at $125,000 from the start)

Nov 20 2003, 5:27 AM